tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629274956608114432018-03-06T13:29:35.730-08:00Everyday MiraclesEveryday Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08795164410782918123noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62927495660811443.post-76574547228454901332010-10-05T18:06:00.001-07:002010-10-05T18:06:03.394-07:00Hating and Being Hated<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Matthew 5:21-26</i></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder,[a] and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause[b] shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.</i></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have been guilty of hatred. I am still struggling with the feelings that I have toward one person in particular, and as I strive to forgive this person (who shall remain completely anonymous in both name and gender), I have been continually convicted of the anger that I feel. My anger has a purpose, but it can no longer be called "righteous." There is nothing that I can do to help or to change this person. Only Yah can do that, and He will, in His time. They &nbsp;must be open to that change and to recognizing Him in their life.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At the same time, I deal regularly with being hated, not only by the same person with whom I struggle, but by others as well. I have not always lived a good life, and even now I cannot say that I am where I want to be. There are so many changes that I strive to make on a daily basis. Simple choices can make an enormous difference. These people do not know me as I am now because they don't make an effort to get to know me as I am now. However, the fact is that I have not reached out to them, either, for fear of having my hands slapped away.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A season of my life is ending now. I cannot continue to sit by and allow this anger and hatred to fester. I have to do something about it. I have worked on forgiveness and I simply haven't gotten that far. But it is time to reach out. I don't know whether or not I will be sending out any kind of cards for the holidays, since I don't celebrate Christmas, but we will see. I think that is probably the best way to open the door of communication and offer to begin speaking to these people again. In the meantime, I must continue to focus on Matthew 5:21-26. It is important to me to let this go and leave it entirely behind me.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #473930; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Current Goal:&nbsp;</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My current goal is to learn to organize both my home and my time. This isn't going so well right at the moment, but I am making some progress, even if it isn't steady.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Today's Habit:&nbsp;</b>Today, I was supposed to read my reminders from Flylady. I forgot about it until just now. Oops. The sink still isn't shiny. I have dishes that need to be done and I won't move them out of the sink since it was shining when I put them in there.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Reading:&nbsp;</b>I'm in Chapter 2 of&nbsp;<i>The Surrendered Wife&nbsp;</i>by Laura Doyle. I was in Chapter 1 yesterday. I forgot that the first chapter is an introduction.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Bible Reading</b>: I am pacing myself through Genesis and picking at Proverbs.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Memorizing:</b>&nbsp;I am working on memorizing Proverbs 31:10-31 at the moment. For this week/day it is Proverbs 31:10-12.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Praying for:&nbsp;</b>I am praying for my husband's work. Again. I actually overlooked this part of my prayer time yesterday. Oops. I am also praying for the strength to forgive those who have hurt me and the courage to reach out to them. For more information see&nbsp;<i>The Power of a Praying Wife</i>&nbsp;by Stormie Omartian. I am also praying for calm.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Grateful for:</b>&nbsp;A beautiful day with my daughter. She was so sweet today and we spent a day without television!</span></span></span><br /><br /><img alt="Becki" border="0" src="http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp180/rebeccas-journey/signature1.gif" />Everyday Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08795164410782918123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62927495660811443.post-52073516335230983112010-10-04T16:11:00.000-07:002010-10-04T16:11:35.969-07:00Unexpected Visitors<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have a confession to make: unexpected visitors terrify me. There are issues from the past that have fed this fear, and I don't wish to discuss those issues at this point in time (or probably ever). But I do want to be honest about the issue of being afraid of knocks on the door, because I believe that my failure to answer the door is a sin. I believe that part of being like Messiah is to be hospitable. Although I believe that He understands my reasons for not answering the door, I also know that this isn't what He would have for me.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't blame God for my fears. Most of the things that have happened to me have been my own fault. Some of them have been authored by others, and some of those others I believe have been under Satan's influence. I don't have to accept this as part of who I am, but it is something that is going to take time to work through. I know that my Abba is willing to work with me until I can get past these issues, and I know that He has some patience with me (or at least I believe He does). On the other hand, I'm just tired of living this way.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today there was a knock on the door. It's not been my best day. The first half of the day was quite peaceful, but later on the little one decided that it was time to start shouting and screaming about how "mad" she is (the end result of watching Ni Hao Kai-Lan). It isn't so much that I have been impatient with her as that I have had things to do, and the noise levels are making it difficult for me to concentrate. I also have to worry about her getting into things, since she has been a real livewire today. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So my tension levels were already high when there was a friendly knock at the door. Figuring that it was a friend of ours, I looked out the window to see if his car was out there. It wasn't, nor was there any other vehicle, which struck me as incredibly odd. Just as I was about to scoop my daughter up and move her screaming away from the door, she called out "Daddy!" At the same moment, the person at the door tried the knob (which was horrifically unlocked! Given that part of the root of my fears if from robbery, this was really brutal!). When the person at the door heard my daughter call out for her father, the screen door slammed and they were gone. That was over an hour ago and nobody has returned. There is no evidence that anyone was here. No notes on the door from UPS or any other company, no phone calls or e-mails from friends. This tells me that not only was the visitor unexpected, but </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">unwelcome </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">as well.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't like this. My stomach is churning, and the fear is irrational, but it is there. I wish that there was something I could do about this immediately, so that the feeling would go away. I've tried several things already, and the house is never clean enough for me to feel comfortable, or my daughter has stripped off all of her clothes, or I'm in the middle of doing something or the worst case scenario is just flashing through my mind at the time that the knock happens.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It has been a stressful day because of this. I just want this to stop and to go away. If you pray, please take a moment to pray for me.</span><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Current Goal: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My current goal is to learn to organize both my home and my time. At this point I must also confess that some mental organization would be beneficial as well, so that I can let go of some of these irrational fears.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Secondary Goal:</b>&nbsp;I am trying to beat food addiction and lose weight. It has been an uphill battle, but I know that with YHVH's help I can do it!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Today's Habit:&nbsp;</b>Today, as every day, I got dressed to lace up shoes. My sink isn't shining though :(</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Reading:&nbsp;</b>I'm in Chapter 2 of <i>The Surrendered Wife </i>by Laura Doyle.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Bible Reading</b>: I am pacing myself through Genesis and picking at Proverbs.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Memorizing:</b>&nbsp;I am working on memorizing Proverbs 31:10-31 at the moment. For this week/day it is Proverbs 31:10-12.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Praying for:&nbsp;</b>I am praying for my husband's work. For more information see&nbsp;<i>The Power of a Praying Wife</i>&nbsp;by Stormie Omartian. I am also praying for calm.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Grateful for:</b>&nbsp;I am incredibly grateful for YHVH's forgiveness. Here I am dealing with this terrible fear, and the result of the fear is sin, and I know that He is willing to forgive me if I repent, and help me to move forward for the best.</span><br /><br /><img alt="Becki" border="0" src="http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp180/rebeccas-journey/signature1.gif" />Everyday Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08795164410782918123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62927495660811443.post-18150819014629889062010-10-03T15:35:00.000-07:002010-10-03T15:38:08.862-07:00The First Cold Day of Fall<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's too bad that we live in the city, or I might have something good to photograph and share with all of you. It has been an easy day to be contented. The cooler weather means that we are more comfortable, if a little bit sleepy. I no longer struggle with the feeling of being overheated when I am working a large piece of knitting or crochet in my lap. Most of all, this is my favorite time of year, as things begin to change. I am surprised to have discovered a real sense of contentment today. This is what I have been looking for (and failing to find) for several weeks. YHVH is really working in my life, and He is taking me where He wants me to go. The best part about it is that I want to go with Him.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have decided that at least through this season, I am going to try to start blogging daily. For those of you who know that I struggle with computer addiction from time to time, this isn't part of that. This is part of the necessary process of getting into a routine and seeking fellowship with other believers. I need to be doing more to reach out, and I keep feeling that I am inadequate as a believer, so I pull back and start over again, often from a different angle. So far nothing has made me feel as though I'm getting it right, so I figure that I might as well practice it until things work out.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Right now I am going through a process of learning some new and essential skills. At the top of this list of skills is consistent organization. I know how to make things neat and organized, but they almost never stay that way. I can no longer claim that I know where everything in my house is, because we have begun the terrible process of replacing lost items. This is not only expensive but it is unhealthy.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My goal here is to be entirely honest with you. There are some things about which I almost never talk except one-on-one. Most of that isn't going to change, though you will likely find out some things about me that you didn't previously know. Some things may cause you to ask questions that I cannot or will not answer. I apologize for this. I am not claiming to be transparent, but I will always at least be honest with you.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Part of this organizational process is getting into the habit of reading and memorizing scripture and catechism. No, I am not Catholic, and yes, I will be teaching my daughter catechism as a faith-sealing and faith-expanding practice. She's a bit young yet, but I don't think that it is ever too early to expose her to these kinds of important things.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I will always let you know what my goals are and what I am working on. In fact, I am about to create a little form that I hope to put at the end of every post as I walk this path with you. I hope that some people will join me and make comments. I really do need the moral support right now, as I am going through a lot and do not have any kind of spiritual family (that is to say, I am not attending any kind of an assembly and only just found out that there is a Messianic congregation in my city today).</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Current Goal:</b>&nbsp;My current goal is to learn to organize both my home and my time.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Secondary Goal:</b>&nbsp;I am trying to beat food addiction and lose weight. It has been an uphill battle, but I know that with YHVH's help I can do it!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Today's Habit: </b>Today I am shining my sink. Yes, it is a Flylady thing. And yes, I am doing Flylady <i>again</i>. I know that this can work for me if I just stick with the program. So far I have not.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Reading: </b>Today I am going to start reading&nbsp;<i>The Surrendered Wife</i>&nbsp;by Laura Doyle. I will review it when I am finished.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Bible Reading</b>: I am pacing myself through Genesis and picking at Proverbs. I want to re-read the Torah right now but I am also drawn to Proverbs, so I'm reading when I can. I will read through at least the first two chapters of Genesis tonight.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Memorizing:</b>&nbsp;I am working on memorizing Proverbs 31:10-31 at the moment. For this week/day it is Proverbs 31:10-12.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Praying for: </b>I am praying for my husband's wife. For more information see <i>The Power of a Praying Wife</i>&nbsp;by Stormie Omartian.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Grateful for:</b>&nbsp;Today I am intensely grateful for the incredible peace of this day. I am almost finished with a gift for my mother (I participate in, but do not celebrate, Christmas) and should be able to finish my sister's tomorrow, then move on to toys for the kids. I'm very, very content and grateful to the Ruach Hakodesh for giving me such great comfort today.</span><br /><br /><img alt="Becki" border="0" src="http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp180/rebeccas-journey/signature1.gif" />Everyday Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08795164410782918123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62927495660811443.post-39269868230766427912010-09-27T17:23:00.000-07:002010-09-27T17:23:53.688-07:00When He Speaks...<div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't know how YHVH speaks to others. I only know that He speaks to me very clearly either by giving me particular passages of scripture to read (leading me to them, usually using blogs or other media) or by simply inspiring me and causing me to think of something that answers a recent prayer. This has been happening more and more often lately. I am incredibly grateful to Yah for giving me the opportunity to improve myself and my devotion to Him. This walk has been difficult at times, and I think that if it weren't for His voice there may have been times I would simply have given up and chosen an easier path, such as the one I was one before I really discovered Yeshua.</span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I want to tell you today about the way in which He spoke to me. It was incredibly significant, but I didn't recognize it until only a moment ago, when I was attempting to write an entirely different blog post.&nbsp;</span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It began today while I was watching TV and working on knitting a gift for my father. I was watching a television show on TLC and the husband mentioned that his wife was always happy and smiling, no matter what the circumstances. He went on to say that they always had fun together. It occurred to me that although I don't typically watch this show, in this case (at least) she seemed to be a genuinely and constantly happy woman. This clearly pleased her husband, who was happy not only with her, but with the time that they spent together.&nbsp;</span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Even had it not occurred to me that my husband and I have not been enjoying our "together time" as much as we could, it would have struck me that I don't smile very much these days. I could try to blame the lack of smiles on overall stress or on the fact that the autumn weather has begun the process of making me depressed (because I need to start taking artificial vitamins or drinking more milk, which I have been craving). This would, however, be displaced blame. The source of my unhappiness is me. It would be dishonest of me to claim that something other than my own attitude and behavior was making me unhappy. Recognizing this, I immediately sent up a prayer to Yah, asking Him to help me to smile more often. I asked Him to give me reasons to smile and to help me to smile even when I didn't feel like smiling. I then went on to spend the rest of the knitting period observing within myself just how much I enjoy knitting. And yes, I did smile.&nbsp;</span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But YHVH wasn't finished with me quite yet. Just when I was satisfied that I understood His intentions, He reminded me of a book that I have read off and on over the past year: <i>The Prayer that Changes Everything</i>&nbsp;by Stormie Omartian. For those who have never read (or heard of) the book, the emphasis is on the power of praising YHVH for everything that He is and everything that He has done for us. There is no end to the praise that we can bring to our Father, and the author gives personal anecdotal evidence for the power of praise to work in our lives in order to help us to realize our greatest dreams. She particularly shows us how powerful praise is when we are in a particularly dark time in our lives, because it can help us to see the power of YHVH and to walk more closely with Him.&nbsp;</span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've tried this before, and become frustrated. The reason is usually because during these periods of praise, the attack is strong. I may run into blogs or websites that discourage Messianic believers (particularly Messianic Jews) and lump all of us in with "The Sacred Name People" or who teach dogma that isn't in the scriptures. I become confused and befuddled and suddenly HaShem stops making sense to me. I forget, during those periods of time, that our G-d is not the author of confusion: He is quite clear, and I believe that by reading the scriptures we can find Him and His clear desire for us as His people. I see no contradiction, and yet these people and websites teach things that are contrary to the scriptures as I understand them. In truth, I have now learned that it is best to avoid them entirely.&nbsp;</span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm giving this another try, and I am determined to see it through to thirty days of praise, without supplication (except for others). I am looking for YHVH to work a real miracle in my life: to show me the path to becoming a happier, more settled and observant Messianic Gentile. I love Him too much to feel comfortable with letting Him down. It is my time now, and I plan on seeing it through.</span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span> <img alt="Becki" border="0" src="http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp180/rebeccas-journey/signature1.gif" /></div>Everyday Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08795164410782918123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62927495660811443.post-46962968234058827762010-09-22T11:20:00.000-07:002010-09-22T11:20:12.203-07:00Identifying EmotionsClearly it has been a long time since I wrote here. I have never been particularly good at blogging about faith, because I am constantly questioning whether or not what I believe or do is "good enough." I read so many faith blogs (and don't comment) that make me feel as though other believers are so much further ahead of me on the path to righteousness that I just become discouraged. So very much of this faith journey is being taken alone while we continue to seek a church home, and I often feel as though I am struggling with the very basics of serving YHVH.<br /><br />There has been a lot of emotion running through me lately. I started college and then became so frustrated with the program that I chose that I decided to transfer. The transfer has become iffy, at best, because of complications with financial aid. It is going to very likely be spring semester before I can get started. The stress has sent me over the edge into what I feel is the beginning of a depression. I have been fighting the urge to simply succumb, but what I have not been doing is identifying my emotions as they relate to the current circumstances. <br /><br />In this exact moment, I am angry. Anger is not an emotion with which I deal well, and it took me several moments to realize that my anger was in no way righteous, and that I had to let it go. I am still struggling with that, as I feel stepped on, shut down and shut out. I feel marginalized and as though I am a nuisance. I feel as though I keep bothering people with my problems and that they would prefer that I simply go away. <br /><br />I realize that this is coming from the voice in my head and not some external place. It is very likely an attack from Satan that is trying to make me stray from the prayerful path that I have been on for the past several days. This internal voice is not helping me to love myself, others or YHVH. It is destructive to everything that I hold dear, and I know that the best thing that I can do is to renounce it. So why is it so hard to let go of that anger and bitterness that is holding me back?<br /><br />I believe that Yah wants for me to be happy. He wants for me to continue in the way that I have been, loving others and holding tightly to Him. I need Him so desperately right now, and it is true that I have felt the Ruach Hakodesh surrounding me lately. Satan is simply trying to break that barrier of protection that I have been given to keep him out. I must let YHVH work in my life and I must cling to him in all things.<br /><br />In the meantime, I need to continue to work on identifying the emotions before they consume me. I have been arguing quite a bit with my husband lately and the emotions have been getting the better of me. Several factors are standing in the way of me living just a simple, normal life with my family, and I need to jump over those hurdles (or better yet, ask Yah to lift me over them). <br /><br />I will probably be talking a lot about emotions for a while. There is a lot that needs to be said, and I may need help in identifying where I am, why I am there, and how to move forward. Thanks for listening.<br /><br />Shalom,<br /><br /><img alt="Becki" border="0" src="http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp180/rebeccas-journey/signature1.gif" />Everyday Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08795164410782918123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62927495660811443.post-61293357545330402102010-05-12T07:28:00.000-07:002010-05-12T07:28:20.600-07:00The "Perfect" Believer<div align="justify">I'm not perfect. I don't believe that perfection is possible unless you are Elohim. In fact, I would prefer to think of myself as an imperfect believer than to think of myself as being equal to Him. I make simple mistakes and I give in to temptations much more often than is reasonable for someone who has been following after Yeshua for more than two years now. Sometimes I even give in knowing that what I'm doing is wrong because it is so much easier to chase after the flesh than to follow Him.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">But I am confused. I have noticed a lack of humility in some branches of the community of believers. The obvious eagerness to be "right" seems to have clouded the overall vision. More often than not, it seems that believers are eager to point out the speck in another's eye, while avoiding the subject of the beam in their own. For me, this has resulted in the sensation of being cornered or trapped by my own sin while looking around me to see the apparent sinlessness of my sisters in Messiah.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Please don't misunderstand: I want help and need guidance. I'm a young believer and moreover there is no church for my family at the moment (for several reasons I may outline in a future post). I desire the fellowship and the togetherness.&nbsp;</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">The truth is that there is no "perfect" believer (regardless of what some say -- and I mean that literally). Romans tells us "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." (3:23 KJV)</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">It is impossible for us to fully support one another as long as we wear the mantle of perfectionism. So please, let us stop and share with one another our stumblings as well as our successes, so that those of us who are most discouraged can know that we aren't alone.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Thanks,&nbsp;</div><br /><img alt="Becki" border="0" src="http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp180/rebeccas-journey/signature1.gif" />Everyday Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08795164410782918123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62927495660811443.post-22102467177189987432010-05-11T19:03:00.000-07:002010-05-11T19:04:08.083-07:00Home from Holidays<div align="justify">I'm not feeling up to writing very much right now. The last few days have been something of a struggle for a variety of reasons. My family was out of town to visit my parents and friends out of state for a few days and it takes some time to get assimilated back at home. I hope that the transition will be easier this time than it was the last time we were away to North Carolina.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">The issues of feminism are still very much on my mind, but I want to be able to tackle the subject fresh instead of when I'm feeling so particularly exhausted.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div>In Messiah,<br /><br /><img alt="Becki" border="0" src="http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp180/rebeccas-journey/signature1.gif" />Everyday Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08795164410782918123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62927495660811443.post-43409318273913807632010-05-04T09:44:00.000-07:002010-05-04T09:44:01.718-07:00My Daughter Has a Choice. That Choice is....<div align="justify">Recently I have been exposed to a lot of talk about choices, in particular the fact that women (and girls) must be allowed to make a choice of whether or not to work outside the home or to be home makers (like I am). The feminists who have been raising these arguments make it clear that they believe that it is wrong (I interpret this as "abusive") to raise daughters to be home makers or boys to work outside the home. My understanding is that they feel that if we raise our children with traditional values and an understanding of traditional gender roles, that we are denying them the ultimate choice to take their own path.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Does this remind anybody else about the misperceptions surrounding home schooling?</div><div align="justify"><br />My daughter will have the same choice that I had when I was growing up: the choice between right and wrong.<br /><br />I will teach her, yes. I will teach her based on the principles of a life lived by faith. I will teach her by a living example of a mother who keeps the home and loves YHWH through her submission to Him. She will see me reading Scripture, memorizing key passages; she will see me in prayer, worshipping and crying out to Yah; she will see me striving to become a better wife and mother; she will see me submit to her father and honor him; she will see me work at home industry to support her father's efforts. My child(ren) will learn by the example of the parents, who are believers in Yeshua Hamashiach.<br /><br />I believe in salvation -- in Heaven and Hell as literal places. I believe that the only way for us to receive the gift of salvation is through Yeshua, the Messiah who came to save us from our sins by sacrficing himself in our place. I believe that to forsake Messiah is to choose Hell and eternal separation from our Creator. And I believe that we are called to keep His commandments and to obey Him, because it is in so doing that we show our love for Our Abba.<br /><br />If I love my children, I <em>must</em> place them on a narrow path. If they stray from it in their adulthood, then I will grieve in the realization that I failed somewhere. To do anything other than to set them on the path of righteousness -- the path to salvation! -- would be abuse. If I believe that anything else is to damn them to a literal Hell, would it not make me a&nbsp;<em>terrible</em> mother if I let them decide their own way when they are too young to truly know better?<br /><br />So no, I will not encourage any future sons to "play with dolls." I will not teach my daughters that they ought to work outside the home, forsaking marriage and family as it was designed by Adonai. I will not blur the lines of gender, because YHWH is represented distinctly through the differences in men and women. No, I will <em>not</em> tell Elohim that He was wrong when He created my daughters female or my sons male. He does not make mistakes!<br /><br />Yes, my daughter has a choice, and she will make it when she is old enough to do so. I will not force her to be baptized. I will not force my daughter to wear a covering on her head as I do. I will not "make" her choose the Messianic path, and I will not use coersion. If she wishes to work outside the home and to not have a family, that is her choice. If she wishes to leave her children with their grandparents while she goes to work, I will "babysit" for free.<br /><br />I will support my daughter, regardless of the decisions that she makes, and I will continue to pray for her that El-Yah will open her eyes to His truth.<br /><br />It is not wrong for me to do this: It would be wrong for me <em>not</em> to do this. You will not change my mind, or the minds of those like me. You will not convince us to raise our children in a "moderate" environment.<br /><br />"So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:16)&nbsp;</div><br /><img alt="Becki" border="0" src="http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp180/rebeccas-journey/signature1.gif" />Everyday Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08795164410782918123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62927495660811443.post-42591699189153638072010-05-03T14:56:00.000-07:002010-05-03T15:02:02.667-07:00Crying Out<div align="justify">I am a frustrated young woman. I have a wonderful husband who I love dearly, and a two year old daughter who is very precious to me. While my life certainly isn't perfect, I have so much to be thankful for and am surrounded by so much love.&nbsp;</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">It has been a huge source of disappointment for me over the course of the past two years to discover that I'm frustrated. I have moments of bitterness, times when I'm angry or discouraged. I suffer from depression a lot, and am inclined all too often to be short tempered with both my husband and my daughter. I lack a true and abiding spirit of love for others. I give up too easily.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">I've not been a very good follower of Messiah.&nbsp;</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">I read recently on a head covering site where a woman said that if we wear the covering but are cantankerous that we are a very poor testimony of our faith. I agree, but in agreement I was embarrassed. I fail, it seems, far more often than I succeed. I snap at my husband, yell at our daughter. Most of the time I don't even know why it happens. I certainly don't&nbsp;<i>want</i> for it to be this way.<br /><br />This is where Ladies Against Feminism comes in. Today I read an article on the site called <a href="http://www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/?p=958"></a><a href="http://www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/?p=958">The Master's Social Worker</a>. By the time I was finished reading, I was in tears.<br /><br />I am guilty of envy: I envy the women who grew up in homes that were filled with faith in Messiah; I envy those who have had the opportunity to surround themselves with the wise older women of Titus 2. I envy those who have teachers who are patient with them, and who know how to approach another person without exhausting them.<br /><br />Older women of faith, I don't want to tire you out. Instead, I want the opportunity to be among you one day. To stand tall and strong and be a "Master's Social Worker." I want to be the sunshine of my home and to be a blessing to others. I'm ready, and I'm praying. I've studied Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 so much that I feel as though my brain is going to explode. But it isn't enough. It's not a trek I personally feel I can take alone. And that is, I believe, why YHWH calls the older women to teach to the younger women.<br /><br />I am frustrated, discouraged, and disappointed. I often can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, though I know that Yeshua is there, waiting for me to take His hand. I just don't know <i>how</i>. If I am an insufficient testimony for Him, it is not for a lack of trying -- it is for a lack of fruitfulness. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I read book after book, but have struggled to find faith-filled female friends (alliteration unintentional). <br /><br />If you are called, ladies <i>please</i> answer. For each one of you who is called to lead in the community of women (of faith), there is one or more of us who are struggling to make it without leadership or guidance.<br /><br />Let it be understood that this is not for our husbands to teach us. They are busy with their own responsibilities, and as often as not are struggling with their own spiritual battles. Our answers lie in you, and I personally believe that our needs are best met by the older women of faith.<br /><br />Our Creator knew that we needed provision. It is why He gave Woman to Man and instructed the older men to counsel the younger men. He counseled the older women to counsel the younger women as well. Please tell me that the world isn't made exclusively of young women... If it is, there are a lot of us out there who need a <i>lot</i> of help!<br /><br />With all the faith in my heart,<br /><br /></div>Everyday Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08795164410782918123noreply@blogger.com3